Robert Lee Wilcoxen, 76, of Marion Station and formerly of St. Mary's County, died Saturday, February 7, 2015 at his home.

Born in Hyattsville, Maryland on January 8, 1939, he was a son of the late Arthur Roy and Frances Elizabeth Smalley Wilcoxen.

A retired US Marine, Robert served two tours in Vietnam and received the Purple Heart Medal for being wounded in combat. His other military awards are: Navy Commendation Medal W/Combat V; Navy Achievement Medal W/Combat V; Presidential Unit Citation; Meritorious Unit Citation; Vietnam Service Medal W/4 Bronze Stars; RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Frame; and Vietnam Campaign Medal with/1960. Following his 20 years of service in the US Marine Corps, he worked for the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, and was Deputy Sheriff in Bland County, Virginia.

Robert belonged to many veteran Organizations. He was the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Department of Maryland Commander for 2009-2010 and 2012-2013. Bob is a life Member of DAV/A Chapter/Unit 34 in Salisbury, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) , Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Chapter 2222, the American Legion Post in Ridge, MD, the Marine Corps League in Bowie, MD. Bob was also the President of the Joint Veterans Committee (JVC) of Maryland for 2012, and was selected as the Veteran of the Year by the JVC for the year 2013.

Bob had a passion for helping veterans and their dependents all around the State of Maryland. He also enjoyed fishing and camping. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Robert (Bob) is survived by his wife of 37 years, Ruth Ann Childress Wilcoxen; four children, Robert Shawn Wilcoxen of Australia, Michael Eugene Wilcoxen and his life partner Victor Woodward Hicks of Hedgeville, West Virginia, Heidy Lynn Bingel and husband Scott of Glen Burnie, MD and Christine S.D. Anthony and husband George of Lusby, MD; a brother, Arthur Roy Wilcoxen Jr. and his wife Diane of Crownsville, MD; a brother, Jack Nalley Wilcoxen and his wife Bette of Huntingtown, MD; a sister, Patricia Ann Wilcoxen of Rotunda, FL; a brother, Jerry W. Wilcoxen of Glen Burnie, MD; nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Victor Childress and wife Donna of Appling, Georgia; sister-in-law, Violet Marie Haley and husband Wayne of Berlin, MD; brother-in-law, H. Franklin Childress and wife Yuvonne of Middleton, MD; sister-in-law, Shirley Leona Martellucci and husband Paul of Whitefield, NH; sister-in-law, Mary Louise Moschler and husband Leslie of Ellicott City, MD; and a sister-in law, Carolyn Lynn Turner of Lexington Park, MD.

Robert was preceded in death by his brothers, James Arthur Wilcoxen of Bowie, MD and Roy Elmer Wilcoxen of South Weymouth, Mass; and brothers-in-law Samuel Robert Childress of Laurel, MD and Gilbert Lee Childress of Laurel, MD.

Funeral services officiated by Rev. Stephen S. Willing will be held Friday, February 13, 2015 at 10 AM at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield. Interment with full military honors will follow at 2 PM at Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery in Hurlock, MD. Viewings will be Thursday evening from 7-9 PM and one hour prior to the funeral service on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, Robert requested donations/contributions be made to the Disabled American Veterans, Department of Maryland, 101 N. Gay Street, Room J, Baltimore, MD 21202.

It is also requested that anyone coming to the viewing and services not wear black. Robert thought funerals should be a celebration of life and with that, light/cheery colors.

To send condolences to the family, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com